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Shepherds Pie Recipe
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Shepherd's Pie

This is proper comfort food: a savory, rich meat and vegetable filling under a thick blanket of cheesy mashed potatoes that gets crispy in the oven. The process is about building layers of flavor, first by developing a deep fond with the meat and then creating a real gravy. Using a mix of lamb and beef gives the filling the right flavor and texture.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Rest Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the Meat Filling

  • 2 lbs ground lamb
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped (~1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 medium carrots finely chopped (~1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks finely chopped (~1 cup)
  • 5 cloves garlic grated
  • 3 tbsp AP flour
  • 2 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 1/4 cups frozen peas
  • Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the Potato Topping

  • 3 lbs Russet potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup whole milk warm
  • 1 cup sharp white cheddar grated
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder